The Real Deal New York

De Blasio calls on landlords to house homeless

Landlords who honor the mayor's request will receive $1,000 plus funds to pay the family’s rent

March 22, 2015 03:00PM

Mayor Bill de Blasio is making robocalls to New York City landlords asking them to house homeless families from the shelter system.

In the 45-second taped call, the mayor says that landlords who take him up on his offer will receive a $1,000 signing bonus in addition to the city funds that will pay the family’s rent, according to the New York Daily News.

The money for participating landlords is being distributed through the city’s new Living in Communities Rental Assistance program, which aims to move families out of the strained shelter system and into homes.

Many of the families who qualify for the program have full-time jobs, but still can’t afford the costs of moving and rent. Others in the program are escaping from domestic violence or have other special needs that have left them struggling.

The families are expected to contribute 30% of their income to rent. The amount of assistance from the city depends on the family size and can range from $1,268 for a family of two to $2,530 for a family of 10.

The robocalls come at a time when the city’s homeless shelters are housing about 60,000 people a night. [NYDN]– TRD